City Church Tulsa

Feb. 9th, 2025 Devoted to Prayer Self-reliance is often celebrated as a mark of success and maturity in our culture today Acts 2:42-44 The Believers Form a Community 42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. When we prioritize self-reliance, we miss out on the richness of what God intended and designed for us to experience. James 1:22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. Philippians 2:3-5 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset of Christ

DEVOTED Devoted to the Gospel 2.2.25 Acts 2:41-42 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Willie James Jennings, Commentary on Acts… The church was being carried forward by the incredible power of the Holy Spirit, but now they had to commit themselves to the daily transforming practices of the Spirit. Just like the winds of the Holy Spirit were blowing through the house at Pentecost, now the wind of the Spirit was blowing through structured and settled ways of living – the ordinary – the everyday. Between the occasional spectacular moments in the church are many ordinary days that require steadfast devotion. Four pillars of devotion: 1) Apostles’ Teaching (the gospel) 2) Fellowship – Life Together 3) Breaking of Bread 4) Prayer What does it mean to be a church DEVOTED to the GOSPEL? 1. Devotion to the

DEVOTED Vision Sunday 1.26.25 “The danger is not that the church becomes irrelevant to the world; it’s that the church becomes indistinguishable from the world.” – Mark Sayers, Reappearing Church Force #1: A society that has become increasingly individualistic • The Enlightenment (17th-18th century) • Protestant Reformation (16th century) • Capitalism and the Industrial Revolution • Urbanization and Modernization • Postmodernism and Secularization (20th century) • Technological advancements, Human Rights movements, a culture of consumerism Summary: All of these forces collectively shifted values from communal interdependence to personal freedoms and self-expression. Force #2: A church shaped by a culture of consumerism • Post-Reformation changes • First and Second Great Awakening (18th-19th century) • Urbanization • The Evangelical Movement (mid 20th century) • The Megachurch movement - celebrity culture – production-oriented churches Summary: The evangelical church in America has prioritized attractio

Pyramid Scheme Part 2 1-19-25 Practices create the space where transformation can take place. The Sabbath and the 4th commandment is an act of trust in the subversive, exodus-causing God of the first commandment, an act of submission to the restful God of commandments one, two, and three. Sabbath is a practical divestment so that neighborly engagement, rather than production and consumption, defines our lives. Walter Brueggemann Sabbath is countercultural. Sabbath is an act of resistance. Sabbath marks our identity as God’s people. Matthew 7:13-14 13 ‘Go in by the narrow gate. The gate that leads to destruction, you see, is nice and wide, and the road going there has plenty of room. Lots of people go that way. 14 But the gate leading to life is narrow, and the road going there is a tight squeeze. Not many people find their way through. Pharaoh’s system: • System of restlessness and anxiety • System of acquisition and pursuit of more • System that abuses others for gain • Syste

PYRAMID SCHEME Part 1 1.12.25 What does it look like for us to live in such a way that our daily and weekly rhythms lead us to a transformed life? Genesis 1:31-2:3 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. We serve a God who works and rests. God establishes a creation rhythm where work and productivity are the inhale, and rest and Sabbath are the exhale. Exodus 20:8-11 8 “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant

HYMNS OF JOY Joy to the World 12.21.24 Advent is the realization that things are not perfect but Christ breaks into our broken world and brings hope, peace, joy, and love. 1. Jesus brings the promise of joy Luke 2:8-11 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 2. Jesus brings the fulfillment of joy John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. “The incarnation is the supreme act of God’s self-giving love. He did not send someone else, nor did He remain distant. Instead, He came Himself, enter

Hope & Fears For All The Years 12.15.25 Talk Notes 1 Corinthians 13:13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. Job 8:11-13 Those who forget God have no hope 3 Pictures of Hope: 1. Wishful Hope 2. Expectant Hope 3. Certain Hope Hebrews 6:13-15 (God’s Promises Bring Hope) For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: “I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.” Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. Real hope is based on God's word not my wishes. The promises of God help us to see future realities and draw encouragement from them. 10 Thoughts of Hope from the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6) My loving Father will never abandon me God's power is greater than any problem God fits everything into his plan God has a greater purpose for my life God has promised to meet all my needs Jesus died to

HYMNS OF JOY The Weary World Rejoices 12.8.24 1) Tamar (Genesis 38 - Matthew 1:3) · In the story of Tamar, we learn God's plan for salvation is not thwarted by sin but God works through the brokenness of humanity to accomplish His purposes. 2) Rahab (Joshua 2 - Matthew 1:5) · In the story of Rahab, we learn nobody is beyond God's reach. He redeems those society deems unworthy. 3) Ruth (Book of Ruth - Matthew 1:15) · In the story of Ruth, we learn how God brings hope and redemption, even in foreign lands and desperate situations, using unexpected people and circumstances. 4) Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11 - Matthew 1:6) · In the story of Bathsheba, we learn even the gravest sins and tragedies are not beyond God's redemptive power. 5) Mary (Matthew 1:16) · In the story of Mary, we learn that God will bring about his promise of salvation through the Messiah in the most humble and unlikely way. Jesus, born into a lineage marked by scandal, loss, and redemption,

Talk Notes O Come Let Us Adore Him Advent 2024 What is Advent? Formed from a Latin word meaning “coming” or “arrival”. Advent is the traditional celebration of the first advent of Jesus (the Christmas story) and the anxious awaiting of His second advent in glory. In Advent we are ushered into a time of waiting where we are connected again with our longing for God. "A society that denies the supernatural, usually ends up elevating the natural to supernatural status" Phillip Yancy - Rumors of Another World 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles... 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Romans

LITURGY FOR THE MOMENT: Part 7 A LITURGY FOR THOSE BATTLING ANXIETY Prince of Peace, we come with restless hearts and racing thoughts. The weight of worry presses down, and we are consumed by what-ifs and worst-case scenarios. As the deer pants for streams of water so our souls thirst for You, the living God.You are the God who calms the storm, The Shepherd who leads us beside quiet waters. Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls Let waves of grace break over me.Teach us to cast our cares upon You. When fear rises, remind us of your steadfast love. When we falter, anchor us in Your unshakable presence. Oh God our rock, meet us in the chaos and lead us into Your rest. Amen. Psalm 42:1-11 ESV “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: ho

Message from City University on November 21, 2024

Message from City University on November 21, 2024

Message from City University on November 21, 2024

Message from City University on November 21, 2024

LITURGY FOR THE MOMENT A liturgy for those consumed by noise Father, we are surrounded by a constant stream of content, an overwhelming amount of input. We find ourselves hypnotized by glowing screens and the escape that is found in our loud world.We repent for times of mindless scrolling. We repent for seeking other voices above yours We repent for numbing, and hiding our full selves from your healing embrace.Good Shepherd, we believe You speak daily, and we know Your voice. Quiet our minds. Still our hearts. So we can hear You in every moment. All the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay quietly in their own room. – Blaise Pascal Contemplative Prayer: The practice of being in God’s presence through quiet and deep inward focus, moving beyond words, thoughts, and feelings to simply rest in the awareness of God. Whatever you feed, you will develop a hunger for. Whatever you starve will eventually wither and die. If we are going to walk in the fruit of the Spir

Message from City University on November 14, 2024

Message from City University on November 14, 2024

Message from City University on November 14, 2024

Message from City University on November 14, 2024

Pure Religion Sunday Liturgy for the Moment A liturgy for the lonely God who sees us and knows us, Although crowds of people surround us, We feel unseen, unheard, and disconnected. We carry with us a deep longing to be known, An aching inside to be unconditionally loved. Holy Spirit, would you meet us in these empty spaces? God who places the lonely in families, Awaken your church to love one another. To create a place of communion with others, So that every person is seen, known, and loved. Heavenly Father, move us past our places of comfort, That we might reflect the unity and intimacy of the Triune God. Psalm 68:6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. · God has incredible concern for the isolated · One of God’s great gifts for us is to be in community · God has a redemptive plan for each of our lives James 1:27 22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23A